STORIES OF THE PENINSULA.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume VI, Issue 577, 24 January 1882, Page 2

STORIES OF THE PENINSULA.

No. 15. Mo t ;k about Jimmy Walker

Mr and Mrs Halm who used to live within a short distance of Jimmy Walker when at Waikouaiti, and who knew him well, have fowarded us the following further particulars regarding that veteran. It appears that some 19 years ago he was splitting posts and rails at Johnny Jones bush at Waikouaiti, having gone there from the Tuapcka diggings. Jimmy liere dropped across a widow who was sister to a i'drs Wiusey. She had been manied lo an old skipper, who had given up the

'• kiiny " as he called it, and died in the happy possession of. an oyster saloon in the classic neighborhood of the Minories in London. When this unfortunate event occurred her sister wanted her to corns out here and she complied. Sho whs a decent woman about 40, and being fair no doubt attracted Jimmy from the force of contrast wiih hi*: former dusky 00111- - --nunions. Her relatives being old and-

feeble she began to look out for a home and no doubt influenced by her former relation with tho ocean, kept company with the Cyclopean Jimmy. SII-7 accepted him when he told her he had lots of money, in fact had made his " pile." Of course she only married him for a home and his money, and she lived to bitterly repent her folly. They were married in Waikouaiti, and kept up the •' spree " for three days at Mrs Winsey's house, which was situated on the edge of the Hawksbury Bush. After the great " spree " Jimmy's money was almost clone. : They lived with the Winsey's for about three weeks while Jimmy was building a hut in the Hawksbury Bush. He got permission to do so from the late John Jones for whom he was working. The hut was built of split slabs and covered with calico. He soon began to ill-treat bis wife, and the Winsey's, having got tired or Jimmy's company and the rows occasioned by the quarrelling of the two, told him he must take her away, so as soon as his hut was finished he moved into it. It was built a little way in the bush on a small clearing a short distance from Hawksbury House. When they got in the hut Mrs Walker soon displayed her ability at house-keeping, for she arranged her half tent, half hut in such a tasteful manner that it was the talk of all the people round that neighborhood. When Mrs Walker was living witn her sister, before she knew Jimmy, she had some cattle which she bought when she first came out. As soon as they were married Jimmy sold these and spent the money. This was the first of their quarrels which led to his thrashing her, the castigation no doubt reminding him of the system used in correcting 1 Maori ladies. He became a perfect brute to his wife, thrash ing her in the most unmercifnl manner. He always performed this operation late at night, never striking her in the day time. All the men about there seemed to be afraid of him, and consequently he was let alone, though universally hated by his mates —Charlie Anderson, Billy Calon, Jack Pope and a Swede These four men used formerly to work in Okain's Bay, but went away from there to the Tuapeka diggings. Jimmy was considered a good bushman in those days, so his mates struck to him. Mrs Walker frequently biought Jimmy up before the late Mr Mellish, who was Magistrate there, and who used to caution Jimmy, who would promise to act better if he was let off, but never did. The Resident Magistrate eventually bound him over to keep the peace, but this was too much for Jimmy, who no doubt thought he could not trust himself, so cleared out again for the diggings, Mrs Walker still lived in the same place and used to take in needle work. After a time Jimmy sent her a little money. Although frequent enquiries were made about him, after this he was not heard of. During this time Jimmy encountered the mon. Poor Mrs Walker was found dead a few years after on the road through Hawksbury's paddock. She died of heart disease, brought on, it was said by the ill treatment and frights she had received from Walker. It was only a tier she was married that she suffered from heart disease.